methotrexate side effects

8/15/07 6:41pm

Greetings.

I have RA and took methotrexate in 2004 for about only 3 months. While taking this RX, I developed nerve pain in both my feet. I also began having problems with extreme swelling of my feet, ankles & calfs. Even though I discontinued taking the methotrexate, the swelling and agonizing nerve pain in my feet persisted. I ended up having 4 surgeries on my feet (2 each) to have the troublesome nerve removed. The second set of surgeries helped slightly, but I still suffer tremendous pain, especially at night.

My Rheumatologist gave me some samples of "Lyrica" (originally for neuropathy

AngylHeart

8/15/07 6:59pm

Sorry - accidentally hit the "post comment"!

Lyrica is a fairly new drug that is for neuropathy and was recently approved to treat fibromyalgia - the first RX to be approved to treat FMS (which I also have).

I am convinced that the nerve damage is from taking the methotrexate. The Lyrica is very helpful in controlling the night time pain in my feet. I don't know if your pain issues are similar to mine or not - but I think that it is important that you take quick acton.

I think it is important that you see your physician asap. If you are suffering so much, you need to see if you can resolve this problem before your pain becomes chronic.

Good luck!

AngylHeart

tiff

12/30/07 1:47am

hi, my mom has the same side effects from taking this drug. what exercises can she do to lessen the pain and swelling in her ankles n feet.her trigger finger also hurts. is it safe or advisable for her to get it operated? hope you can answer ASAP=) thank you.

AngylHeart

1/ 1/08 6:55pm

Sorry for the delay - holidays and all.

I would not recommend surgery based on my personal experience with two surgeries on each foot from the methotrexate nerve damage - and I continue to have problems with swelling & pain, which Lyrica helps a bit. However, I am not a physician and would suggest that she see her dr.

When I have a lot problems with trigger finger in thumb, etc., I find injections of steroids to be very helpful.

tif

1/ 2/08 5:05am

thanks =) steroid injections did not work for her unfortunately.

barbara

3/ 2/08 12:19am

hi..............am on metho. for lupus and lots of nausea,feeling faint,leg cramping and am hoping it gets better and will help.on 10mg a week for about 6 weeks now.on it for inflammation and vasculitis and on a small dose of prednisone too.am pretty frustrated and sick but do trust my doctors.any advie or help?thanks............barbara

barbara

3/ 2/08 12:26am

hi angy/heart....................................i have lupus and am on metho. for 6 weeks ........leg cramps and nausea and feel awful........does it eventually help?thanks............barbara

pat

5/10/09 10:36pm

I have only taken the first weeks dose for my auto immune disorder as they try to transition me from over a year at high doses of predisone and leg pains in my calves are growing daily. This concerns me. I'd like to know if others have this and it is managable or if it means this drug is not a good choice for me. pat

smunson

12/15/09 10:13pm

I have RA with Lupus overlap, I currently take methotrexate, prednisone, plaquinel and now have been swithched from humara to Orencia. Wow I had side effects galor with both or all of these drugs. Chemo brain is on target, I feel like I am on a boat at times, my short term memory has been greatly affected and at times I feel as though I cannot continue to function this way. The good news is that the sun rises on a new day and after taking my metho and orencio the chemo fog passes in 4 to 5 days.

karin

9/18/07 8:50pm

yes, I have ra and been taking methotrexate for about five years, now the dr wants me to go on remicade, sort of scared-embrel did not work. Yes, just lately I have had loads of cramps in calves. I try to rest knees on pillows.

tania

9/19/07 5:15pm

no

Louise Richmond

10/11/07 7:35pm

I was on Methotrexate a couple years ago andhad no problem, then my RA went into remission for 2 years. I am now back on the medication, and I have been having problems with leg and top of my feet cramping and very much pain. I have also being troubled with itching in my hair. I would like to know if you have had this problem. Louise

rob schnur

10/15/07 6:30pm

Louise,

Just recently I have had some itching in the head area. My Dr. gave me prednisone to take for the cramping which I do detest the side effects of prednisone, I am not taking the prednisone but I have found some relief for the cramping by taking 2 potassium suplement tablets daily.

Rob

Louise Richmond

10/16/07 8:43am

Rob thanks for the information. I will certainly try that for my legs. The itching in my head has let up some, it could have been just a nerve problem. Thanks again. Louise Richmond

barbara

3/ 2/08 12:14am

i have lupus and bad inflammation and vasculitis and have been on methot. for 6 weeks..........10 mg a week and lots of calf cramping,nausea and feeling lightheaded,faint and weak.do the side effects improve?i am frustrated and feeling pretty bad.any words of wisdom?thanks.......barb

barbara

3/ 2/08 12:21am

hi.......so does metho. really help?been on it for 6 weeks and lots of yucky side effects.thanks............barb

smunson

12/15/09 10:32pm

Hi Barb,

I have RA with lupus overlap and now in year 6 I have had a lot of Treatment failures. The one drug I have been on from the start is methotrexate, currently 25mg every week. I failed all the low end drugs ($ drives treatment) and now the Dr put me on Orencia as well as the prednisone, Plaquinel, metho and the Orencia. I found that diet is a key factor in how I feel physically. I do not tolerat processed food well. I can go to McDonalds or Burger King and I am guartenteed a flair.

I was put on Prilosec 40 MG every day and it has helped. Dont forget to eat foods high in folic acid as well. I also take 3000 mg of Fish oil. I thought I was smart and the Dr was not so smart and tried to reduce my meds, bad choice as my life went from bad to worse. bedtime for Bonzo without consent.

I can only say think about what you put in your body as the meds are poison to our systems.

Angela Hendricks

11/ 2/11 1:14pm

Yes I have been on Methotrexate for l l/2 years along with Predisone. I now have developed nerve pain in my right knee and it is sprending on my right arm and hand.. I stopped the Methotrexate today and will tell the doctor my decision this evening. i think it works for a while and then it collects in the cells and does damage. Just a guess.. Good luck

Jaimie

12/20/07 9:12am

I was on methotrexate for 3 months and developed pneumonia. I stopped taking everything and went to an alternative doctor. She put me ona diet and supplements. I went from not being able to walk and being on 25 mlgs of prednisone to wearing high heels again and only 5 mlgs of prednisone. This diet does work along with the supplements. If you want more information you can email me at JaMac77@yahoo.com. I don't think anyone can completely understand what it is like to live with RA unless you have it.

Anonymous

6/18/09 8:49am

what type of diet. I have Ra and I was on mex a few years ago and it worked well for me but I had to go off due to breast cancer . It has been about 2 yr. now and I feel good but I can feel my Ra starting up again. I am on drugs for inflamation and 2 Plaquiniel a day so I would like to find about your diet

Sandy

Randy S

1/ 1/08 12:42pm

Bob,

My name is Randy and I have RA and Psoratic arthritis. I am 56 years old and my RA comes from many years of sports ranging from football to breaking horses in my 40's. I take an injection of Humira 40mg every 2 weeks and 8 Mexorexate once a week meaning all at one time per my doctors direction. The Humira has helped substantially but my kidney funtions are showing signs of perfomance which could lead to failure in the future. Have you had your blood tested for this side effect. My doctor checks my blood for inflamation (C-Reactive Protien), metabolics, CBC and Sedimentation rates every 3 months. Please let me know your knowledge on this.

robgsc@infonline.net

1/ 2/08 11:40am

Randy,

Thanks for the information. I also am 56 years old and very active. Racquetball, long distant running, backpacking and cross country skiing. I have had to give up racquetball and running but I walk daily as well as backpack and I still cross country ski. My Dr. has me on 5 tablets of metotrexate once a week and 15 mg. of meloxicam daily. My amount of attacks have reduced dramatically but I still have have them on occasion. My Dr. does check my blood levels every two to three months and at one time I was taking 6 tablets of methotrexate and he reduced it after one of my blood tests and says now that my levels are back to normal. I do not drink alcohol and he has expressed to me that that is very important to completely abstain from drinking while taking methotrexate. How well do you feel that the Humira is working for you?

Thank you,

Rob

robin

5/19/08 7:42pm

are you taking your folic acid/leucovorin calcium? I just admitted to a doctor at my college campus clinic that I forget all the time and he responded by begging me to take it because it negates the side effects of methotrexate. I've never had cramping, but severe nausea...so my doctor switched me to the methotrexate injections instead because it bypasses your digestive system that way. Also, if you get a cough or cold while you're on it, you need to halve your dose or just skip it all together that week b/c it will severely suppress your immune system (i know you know this, but not many people take the innitiative and reduce their dosage). Otherwise you risk not recovering, as I am dealing with this very moment.

Anonymous

5/27/08 3:39pm

You are correct because I also forget to take my folic acid and I do have severe nausea. I must remember to keep taking this supplement. Thanks for the heads up.

Rob

anne

6/20/08 5:47pm

Hi Rob ... In 2006 I had treatment for breast cancer, I had a combi chemo treatment called epirubicen/ cmf .. The M stood for mehtotrextate and I have to say I don't can't say which chemo drug caused severe joint pain ...BUT I can say that it only began when the CMF started ...I felt crippled like an old old lady :-( After treatment ended the pain eased but did not leave completely so I got referred to the RA (rheumatoid arthtirits clinic.

I am now on several drugs to treat my RA but since I started methotrexate again I suffer joint pains especially leg cramps at night ...not mild cramps but really sore ones ...I wake up at night and get out of bed in an attempt to relieve them ...

I see you posted this a while ago so I hope you are ok and not suffering

Anne xXxx

Rob Burton

2/23/09 2:10pm

I am also on methotrexate for RA. Ever since I started taking the drug I have been experiencing severe nightly lower leg and feet cramps. Whether or not this medication is the exact culprit I don't know. I am waiting to here back from my doctor. I will add that I have suffered these types of cramps all of my adult life but not every night and not all year round.

Anonymous

5/17/09 4:16pm

Ask your doctor to check you vitamin D levels, Methotraxate eats the calcium in your body thus the ability to absord vitamin D. You could also try taking multivitamins with vitamin D, calcium and magnasium in it. Good luck!

practicemakespermanent

5/26/09 10:48pm

I was on Humira for 8 months for RA and 6 months into my treatment I was put on methotrexate. What started as moving numbness and tingling in my feet and hands turned into terrible cramping in my legs and feet at night. I was taken off of the Humira & methotrexate in late February and while the symptoms subsided, they didn't completely go away. I had a nerve velocity conduction study, and emg, and MRIs of my brain and spinal cord which all came back normal (thank God). I switched rheumatologists because my initial one really brushed off the numbness and tingling I felt for a whole month and still kept me on Humira (which can cause the onset of MS and MS-like symptoms). My new rheumatologist has changed my diet, has me taking fish oil, magnesium citrate, and Vitamin D. Overall my joints felt immensely better as did the rest of me. Due to my visible knuckle swelling and occassional joint pain he began me on methotrexate again. I took my first injection two days ago and am at this very moment experiencing pain and cramping in my legs and feet. While I am not glad that others are having these experiences as well, I am relieved to know that this may be directly associated with the use of methotrexate and knowing that others have felt this way, I feel better equipped to discuss my theories with my doctor.

Discouragedone

8/27/09 6:01am

Dear Practicemakespermanent!

I am also an RA patient and be on the weekly intake of 25 mg Methotrexate [next to REMICADE transfusions]. As you, I am awakened at night with terrible cramps in my lower extremities; I am actually catapulted out of bed because they are so severe.

My Rheumatologist prescribed 2 capsules of 300mg Magnesium, in addition of the recommendation of eating bananas and apricots. Being on that regimen for the past three weeks, but still suffer of these horribly painful cramps. It worries me if this could finally lead to a more severe problem!?

It would be really helpful in hearing from someone who had a successful treatment to prevent or subdue these cramps.

Thanks, Discouragedone :-(

Beth

8/21/10 8:03pm

I have been taking 10 mg of Methotrexate for 8 mos. for Discoid Lupus. Within the first month, I could hardly walk. U o M dismissed my complaint, but my family Doctor recognized it as a symptom from the Methotrexate. He put me on Neurotin which made me extremely drowsy when I first took it. I only take it at night and as needed. It's primary function is as an anti-seizure medicine. This scares me. I have never gone into remission over the last three years of various treatments and my feet and joints are unbearable on many days. I am trying to "suck it up" and not be a burden on my family. I work in a very agressive fast paced work atmosphere and three years ago before this stupid disease, I would have kicked butt as the multi-tasker. Now I can hardly walk to my car.

Is anyone familiar with the National Jewish Medical and Research Hospital in Denver, CO? It is supposed to specialize in autoimmunology. Or have good reports from the Minnesota Mayo Clinic?

rhynard4@earthlink.net

Dpnna

2/14/12 3:09pm

Neurotin is used for all nerve pain as well as seizures. I have been on it 2 years for pain form Tri Geminal Neuralgia and RA pain. I too have leg and foor pain from methotrexate. I hae had block in myhip to stop it and injections in my foot & it works well. Donna

Beth

8/21/10 8:04pm

I have been taking 10 mg of Methotrexate for 8 mos. for Discoid Lupus. Within the first month, I could hardly walk. U o M dismissed my complaint, but my family Doctor recognized it as a symptom from the Methotrexate. He put me on Neurotin which made me extremely drowsy when I first took it. I only take it at night and as needed. It's primary function is as an anti-seizure medicine. This scares me. I have never gone into remission over the last three years of various treatments and my feet and joints are unbearable on many days. I am trying to "suck it up" and not be a burden on my family. I work in a very agressive fast paced work atmosphere and three years ago before this stupid disease, I would have kicked butt as the multi-tasker. Now I can hardly walk to my car.

Is anyone familiar with the National Jewish Medical and Research Hospital in Denver, CO? It is supposed to specialize in autoimmunology. Or have good reports from the Minnesota Mayo Clinic?

rhynard4@earthlink.net

bekahgrace

11/ 6/10 7:17am

I am 20 years old and was diagnosed almost a year ago with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis, I started Remicade and when it was not working properly they added Methotrexate. I also take nearly 15 other medications (for pain, muscles, water retention, etc) and have had severe swelling in the feet, calfs, thighs, and hips. I am a petite person weighing only 110lbs and the swelling is VERY noticable, even through some clothing. I can barely bend my knees even to walk it is so bad. I just got out of the ER because the pain of it was debilitating. All the test for inflammation in the joints and muscles were normal, as was the kidney function and the markers for water retention. The swelling is very firm, almost like pushing on a body builders muscles. I can not live with what is going on in my legs...I am planning my wedding and going to school full time. Does anyone know what might be causing this or have any suggestions as to how it can be managed...??? I need help bad...

Rach

4/ 7/11 7:17pm

Has anyone lost the feeling in their legs or arms after using the drug methotrexate?

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